Hinged clamp safety razor holder



Juiy 23, 1935* A. s. CARLSON 2,008,581

HINGED CLAMP SAFETY RAZOR HOLDER Filed Jan. 3, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 23, 1935.

A. S. CARLSON HINGED CLAMP SAFETY RAZOR HOLDER Filed Jan. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .4.5. far/5 0.72

. Attorngya.

Patented July 23, 1935;

HINGED CLAMP SAFETY RAZOR HOLDER Axel S. Carlson, New York,'N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Concetta, L. Blue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application January 3,

14 Claims.

My invention relates to a clamping device for a safety razor blade in which the under side of the blade is supported on a fixed and rigid supporting plate attached to a handle, and in which the blade is clampedin place by a hinged clamping plate which is hinged on one end of the supporting or holding plate.

In this type of construction, one of the objects and features of'my invention is in the manner of hinging or pivoting the clamping plate which is done by means of a pinion connected to the pivot shaft of the hinge on the clamping plate, and the pinion is rotated by a sliding rack slidable longitudinally of the lower supporting or holding plate. Further, the rack is moved by means of a wedge reciprocated longitudinally of the hinge, the wedge being moved by a nut on the end of the handle engaging a screw on a stem which holds the wedge; thus, by rotating the nut in one direction of rotation relative to the handle, the stem with the wedge is raised and moves the rack outwardly, thereby rotating the pinion shaft to swing the clamping plate from a position parallel to the holding plate, to a position at right angles thereto, which clamp may be turned for convenience to a vertical position.

Another detailed feature of my invention relates to a slip hinged connection byproviding an arm on the clamping plate with slots engaging the hinge pivot to accommodate razor blades of varying thickness. .Another detail is a-limiting stop finger for retaining the clamping plate in its vertical position when the holding plate is in the horizontal position for removing and inserting blades.

Another feature of my invention relates to a pressure device used to exert a pressure on the clamping plate to hold the blade tightly between the clamping and holding plates, and this also has a function of preventing or permitting hinging of the clamping plate. Such construction includes the stem longitudinally movable in the handle and actuated by the nut and thread above mentioned. The stem,,however, has a single or partial thread connecting it one-quarter'of a turn, preferably by use of a squared stem having a one-quarter twist and operating through a fixed squared opening. The upper end of the stem has an elongate somewhat rectangular head or knob which passes through a ,slot in the plate, and an aligned slot in the clamping plate. When the knob is crosswise and pulled downwardly, it clamps the clamping plate and blades, and when rotated one-quarter of a turn, it permits 1934, Serial No. 705,081

the clamping plate in its arcuate movement to pass over the sides of the knob.

Other detailed features of my invention relate to the manner of supporting and centering the blade as well as a construction facilitating re- 5 moval and replacement of the blades, and further a hand grip device on the handle which has a frictional grip on the handle but allows relative rotation so that the blade may readily follow the curves of the face and neck in shaving. 10

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken in the direction 15 of the-arrow 2 ofFig. 1. a

Fig. 3 is a plan taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on the line- 4-4 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows o on a larger scale.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 may be considered as a transverse horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, illus- 25 trating mainly, the blade and its supporting structure.

Fig. '7 is a detailed end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an elevation similar to Fig. 2 with 30 the clamping plate elevated.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the line 9-9 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the razor employs a holding or supporting plate II which is 35 rigidly connected to a handle l2. This handle is provided with a cylindrical section l3 and a rotatable nut M at the end, the'nut being knurled on its outside surface. The razor blade 15 rests on the supporting plate and. is held in 40 placebyaclamping plate it, which plate has an arm I! on one end engaging the ends'of the hinge designated by the assembly numeral l8.

The blade construction is provided with two vparallel cutting side edges 59, right angular ends 4 28, and an extending finger gripping end 2|, this end having a concaved curve 22. The blade is provided with a longitudinal slot 23 having .a pair of inwardly projecting shoulders 24. The .slot is rounded at the end 25 and has a center sec- 5 tion 26 with curved sides, and adjacent thereto, straight sides 21, from the shoulders 24. The ends Zli of rtherblade areengaged by. outwardly extending-end projections 28 from the supporting plate, these being spaced apart. These PI'OjGC-r 55" tions'also engage longitudinal shoulders 29 of the blade (note Fig. 6). The blade rests on a pair of transverse ribs 3E3 extending substantially completely across the supporting plate, which plate has a pair of parallel sloping grooves 3| inside of the guard coinb 32, this guard comb having individual guard teeth 33. The ribs 34 (note Fig. 6) have upward projections 35 extending upward in the slot 23 between the shoulders 24. Partial ribs 35 extend partly across the clamping plate adjacent the end projections 28. A fixed stop Si is screw-threaded into the supporting plate and extends upwardly through the slot 23 adjacent the curved ends 25. The blade thus when properly centered on the supporting plate is held in a definite position and cannot shift lengthwise or laterally.

The clamping plate i3 is provided with a series of transverse ribs 38 which engage the blade when in the clamped position vertically above the various ribs on the supporting plate. The clamping plate has a pair of end ribs 39-49 which are slightly shorter than the ribs 38 and do not engage the plate.

The construction of the hinged connection of the clamping plate to the supporting plate is as follows:

Two bearings 4! are attached by means of screws A! to one end of the supporting plate, and through these bearings there extends a pivot or hinge shaft 82, the center portion of which has a pinion 43. The end portions of the pivot shaft .are flattened as indicated at a l, and engage in slots 45 in the ends of the arms i'l. These arms each have a projecting finger 48 and the slots allow a slight relative movement of the clamping plate and thehinge.

The under side of the supporting plate is provided with a longitudinal groove 41 extending from oneend to slightly beyond the center. In this groove there is a slidable rack bar 43 having rack teeth 8 at the outer end engaging the pinion 43.

The inner end of rack bar 48 is provided with a block 59 which operates through openings 5! in the upper portion of the handle. This block has a vertical center opening 52 with diverging sloping surfaces 53. and 54. Each surface terminates at the bottom 55 of the block in a com paratively sharp edge 55 and 5i respectively. Cooperating with this construction the handle l2 has an-inner sleeve 58 with a flange 59 at the top securedto the under side of ,the supporting plate. rin outer sleeve 6%? surrounds the inner s1eevei58. Both of these sleeves have the transverse openings 5i and the inner sleeve 53 has a longitudinal slot Si forming a guide way. The inner sleeve 58 is provided with a bottom plate I52 :which has a square opening 63 therethrough.

The wedging device designated by the assembly 64 for operating the rack bar is as follows:--

.A wedge block 65 is mounted on a stem 66, this stem having a cylindrical section 58. The wedge :block has asloping surface 59 adapted to engage the edge 55 of the block 56 when the rack bar is retracted and force this bar outwardly when the wedge block is raised, the raising action being as hereinunder detailed:-

The wedge block held firmly in position by means of a lower collar it with an upper collar it, and two marginal edges 72 operate in the guide slots 6! of the inner sleeve 58. On the upward movement of the wedge block, the return wedging surface 13 moves contiguous to the wedging surface-54. When the wedging block moves upwardly it thrusts the rack bar to the right,

(having reference to Fig. 5). and thus rotates the pinion and elevates the clamping plate to the position shown in Fig. 8. The reverse movement is given by pulling down on the wedging block and in this case the surface l3 bears on the complementary sloping surface 5% of the block of the rack bar and returns this rack bar to the left, this closing the clamping plate into clamping relation to the supporting plate.

The wedging block is actuated by means of the knurled nut I4, which nut has internal threads Hi engaging a single thread or pin '55 on the lower end of the stem '16. The nut and the handle it which has the sleeve Ed are assembled by providing the nut with an annular groove ii and the end of the sleeve with an inwardly compressed rim '53 (note Fig. 5); thus, when the nut is rotated, the squared portion is of the stern operating through the squared guide prevents the stem from rotating except when the quarter turn or twisted section Bil passes through the squared opening. The action therefore of rotating the knurled nut is to raise and lower the wedging device 6 1.

The pressure device utilizes a tension rod 8| which forms a continuation of the stem. It passes through a cylindrical opening 3i in the support ing plate, through the center of the slot of the razor blade and through a narrow rectangular slot 82 of the clamping plate l5. The upper end of the tension rod $6 is provided with a knob or head 33, this being rectangular and having a narrow dimension indicated at less than the width of the slot 82, and a long measurementindicatedat 85 longer than the width of the slot. The knobis also preferably tapered as indicated at 86 (note Fig. l) to engage complementary sloping surfaces of the slot 82.

The action and function of the knob 33 with the tension rod 853 connected to the stem is as follows:--

When the blade isclamped as shown in Fig. 5, the nut l4 gives a downward pull on the pin ?5 and thispulls on the knob '83 which is crosswise to the slot 82; thus the clamp plate is pulled downwardly into tight'engagernent with the blade and presses the'blade on the supporting plate. 'When it is desired to lift the clamping plate for removing or inserting ablade, the rotation of the knob M in a direction to raise the pin "45 first loosens the pressure of the knob on the clamping plate and then in a further elevation of the stem, gives this a one-quarter turn rotation'due to the one-quarter square thread turn 85. 'This action rotates the knob so that the length of the knob is lengthwise of the slottE. As soon as the knob has been turned,a further upward movement of the wedging device it having the block 35 operates the rack bar and swings the clan ping plate upwardly into the position of Fig. 8. This clamping plate is returned to its clamping position and then the knob rotated and pulled downwardly by a reverse series of motions.

An additional hand grip device {it employs a lower collar 9i which encircles the lower portion of the cylindrical section it of the handle, and an upper clamping collar 2 i A lateral hand gri ..2 extends between the collars and outwardly from the handle section 52. The clamping collar hasa fixed section 53 and a movable strap section 9:". whichis secured by a rivet to the handle 92. A pin 9% extends through an opening in the handie and is riveted or otherwise see red at at to the-section 94 and has abutton dil for pressing a,oos,esi

the pin and thus releasing the clamp collar 9!, to facilitate rotation of the handle l2 within the collars 9B and 9!.

The end of the clamping plate opposite the hinge has a cut-out section 99 to facilitate grasping the extending ends 2! of the blade for inserting and removing the blade.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or. scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A safety razor having a handle, a supporting plate secured thereto at right angles to the handle, a clamping plate pivotally connected to the supporting plate at one end, said clamping plate having a slot therethrough, a blade having a perforation, means operatively connected to the handle to rotate the clamping plate on its pivot, and a stem slidably mounted in the handle and extending through the perforation in the blade and through said slot and having'means to engage the clamping plate to clamp the blade tightly between said plates.

2. A safety razor having a handle with a bore extending therethrough, a supporting plate connected to the end of the handle, a clamping plate having a slot therethrough, said plate being pivotally connected to the supporting plate at one end, means on said plates adapted to engage a blade, a stem extending through said bore and adapted to pass through said slot, means to exert a tension on the stem to secure the clamping and supporting plate, means operatively connected to the handle to rotate the clamping plate on its pivot, and means on the stem to actuate the means for moving the clamping plate in one direction.

3. In a safety razor, a supporting plate, a clamping plate hinged thereto at one end, a blade mounted on the supporting plate, and a rack and pinion for rotating the hinge and the clamping plate to swing the clamping plate in an arc, the supporting plate having a handle at right angles thereto, a stem extending through the handle, the clamping plate having a slot therethrough, the stem extending through the slot and being provided with a head, and means to longitudinally move the stem and rotate the stem to engage the head with the clamping plate.

4. In a safety razor, a supporting plate, a clamping plate hinged thereto at one end, the said plates being adapted to engage a blade therebetween, the pintle of the hinge having a pinion, a rack slidably mounted on the supporting plate to actuate the pinion, a handle connected to the supporting plate and a slidable means in the handle to actuate the said rack, the clamping plate having an elongated slot, a stem extending through the slot and through the handle, the said stem having a knob, and means to rotate the stem to pass the knob through the slot or to engage the clamping plate by the knob and means to exert a tension on the stem.

5. In a safety razor, a supporting plate, a clamping plate hinged thereto at one end, the plates being adapted to clamp a blade therebetween, a slidable rack on the supporting plate, a pinion connected to the hinge to actuate the same, a handle on the supporting plate having a stem therein, and a wedging means on the stem coacting with a complementary Wedge device on the rack to reciprocate said rack, the wedging means on the stem comprising a Wedge block having a pair of sloping surfaces, the wedging device on the rack having a block with a sloping surface to engage one of the surfaces of the wedging block, and an edge to engage another surface of said block.

6. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 5, the

clamping plate having an elongated slot, the

stem extending through said slot and having a head on top, the head being longer than the width of the slot, means inter-connected with the stem to rotate the stem and hence the knob onequarter turn in reciprocation of the stem, and means to exert a tension on the stem to clamp the plate when in its blade engaging position.

'7. A safety razor having a supporting plate with a tubular handle at right angles thereto, a clamping plate hinged thereto at one end, the said plates being adapted to engage a razor blade therebetween, a pinion forming part of the hinge, a slidable rack on the supporting plate and having a wedge block with an internal sloping surface and an edge, a slidable stem in the handle having a movable wedge block thereon, and a pair of sloping wedge surfaces, one to engage the surface and the other to engage the said edge of the wedge block of the rack,'and means to reciprocate the stem to turn the clamping plate in an are.

8. A safety razor as claimed in claim '7, the clamping plate having an elongated slot, the said stem extending through the slot and having a flattened head of greater length than the width of the slot, and means to reciprocate the stem comprising a nut on the handle engaging the thread on the stem and means co-acting with the stem to rotate the stem one quarter turn during each reciprocation.

9. A safety razor having a supporting plate with a tubular handle, clamping plate connected thereto at one end, said clamping plate having an elongated slot therethrough, a stem extending through the handle through the supporting plate and the said slot, said stem having a head of greater length than the width of the slot, means operatively connected to the handle to reciprocate the said stem, means engaging the stem to rotate the stem one-quarter turn, and means cooperating with the stem to swing the clamping plate through an arc.

10. In a safety razor having a cylindrical handle, a hand grip device having a pair of collars surrounding the handle, one of said collars having a releasable clamp to release said latter collar from the handle.

11. In a safety razor, a tubular handle, a supporting plate having a perforation, a clamp plate having a slot, .a blade having a slot and located between the said plates, a nut rotatable on the handle, a stem having a thread in the nut, said stem passing through the said perforations and slots, a head on the stem of greater length than the width of the slot and means in the handle to rotate the stem and head one quarter of a turn when said stem is moved longitudinally by the nut, a wedging means mounted on the stem, means to retain the wedging means from rotation, a pivot connecting the clamping plate to the supporting plate and a moving means mounted on the supporting plate and actuated by the wedging means to rotate the clamping plate on its pivot.

12. In a safety razor, a tubular handle, a supporting plate having a perforation, a clamping plate having a slot, a blade located between the said plates and also having a slot, a nut rotatable on the handle, a stem having a thread in the nut, said stem having a one quarter turn thread above the nut, means in the handle engaging said latter thread, the upper end of the stem passing through the said perforation and slots, a head onthe stem of greater length than the width of the slot in the clamping plate, the said nut on rotation moving the stem longitudinally and the one-quarter turn thread of the stem causing a one-quarter turn rotation of the stem to turn the head of the stem between a position aligned with the slot of the clamping plate and a position transverse thereto.

13. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 12, a pivot connecting the clamping plate and the supporting plate and having a pinion, a rack slidable longitudinally of the supporting plate to operate the pinion, a wedging means mounted. on the stem, means in the handle to prevent rotation of the wedging means on rotation of the stem the said wedging means engaging the said rack on upward movement of the stem to move the rack and swing the clamping plate into an open position relative to the supporting blade.

14. In a safety razor, a supporting plate having a perforation, a clamping plate having a slot, said plates being adapted to clamp a blade therebetween, a hollow handle connected to the supporting plate, a stem extending through the hanle, the perforation and slot, and having a head on the top, the head being longer than the Width of the slot, means to move the stem longitudinally and at the same time means inter-connected with the stem to rotate the stem and hence the head one quarter turn, the said moving means for the stem being adapted to exert a tension on the stem to clamp the clamping plate when in its blade engaging position.

AXEL S. CARLSON. 

